East Devon

East Devon's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census show there were changes in jobs, health and housing tenure.

The population passed 130,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of East Devon increased by 5.5%, from just under 126,000 to 132,000.

The addition of about 6,900 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, East Devon was home to, on average, 1.2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in rate of employment

This area saw the South West's second-largest rise in the proportion of employed people.

Across the region, only Isles of Scilly saw a greater rise in the proportion of employed people (from 50% to 54%).

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

During this period, East Devon fell below four local authority areas, including South Hams and Torbay, to become the South West local authority area with the sixth-lowest percentage of employed people.

In 2011, just under one in two (49%) people aged 16 to 74 in East Devon said they were employed, compared with 45% in 2001. The percentage that were unemployed increased from 2.0% to 2.5%.

The rate of employment was lower than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that that said they were employed across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

More adults are separated from partners

This area saw the South West's second-largest rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner.

Across the region, only Isles of Scilly saw a greater rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner (from 8.4% to 11%).

During this period, East Devon fell below four local authority areas, including West Devon and Cheltenham, to become the South West local authority area with the 10th-lowest percentage of people who had divorced or separated.

In 2011, just under one in eight (12%) people aged 16 and over in East Devon said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner, compared with 10.0% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 57% to 55%.

The proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner was lower than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of East Devon residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.7% to 5.1% between the last two censuses.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (80%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 67% in 2001. The percentage of East Devon residents that described their health as fair decreased from 24% to 15%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 5.1% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in East Devon decreased by 3.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in East Devon, the South West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in East Devon, but at a slower rate than in nearby Exeter.

In East Devon, the proportion of private renting increased from 9.8% in 2001 to 14% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in Exeter increased from 14% to 21%.

Across the South West, the share of privately rented homes increased from 11% to 17%.

The rate of social housing in East Devon fell from 9.8% to 9.3%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 78% to 75%.

Private renting in East Devon increased by 3.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in East Devon, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in East Devon working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 15% to 12% between the last two censuses.

The proportion who said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week remained close to 2.6%, while

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 13% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in East Devon decreased by 3.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in East Devon, the South West and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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